Watching young men and women rant and rave their way through rhythmic voices and body movements was like the classic watching of sunset at Ateneo’s backyard. Last October 29, 2008, 13 out-of-school youth from pilot barangays of the University’s 4 partner municipalities, together with Teatro Dignos and University Choir members finally delivered their message to their respective community leaders in a melodramatic but hard-hitting presentation at Arrupe Convention Hall to cap the alternative packaging workshop portion of Youth Speak Project.
 Amidst focus lights and myriad of candles that enhanced a backdrop typical of Bikol-Camarines, College of Arts and Sciences student Felix Turallo wove the storyline linking each phase of the program that consisted 2 main parts, the Awitin at Musika and Sayaw at Drama.
In Awitin at Musika, choir moderator Joseph Reburiano recounted the preliminary activities undergone by 7 OSYs to relearn the rudiments of singing and song-writing through workshops assisted by the choir’s able member/lyric-music arrangers before coming up with 8 musical pieces. (Cite)
Sayaw at Drama, on the other hand unfolded from a prologue to a series of thematic scenes entitled Inang Bayan-Juan de la Cruz, Sarung Banggi-Juan de la Cruz-Inang Bayan 1, Anak-Kundiman-Inang Bayan 2, Lipad ng Pangarap. As explained Dignos moderator Boboy Pesimo, the dances showed what youth felt at the moment and that thoughts expressed for authorities to hear would be prompted to act.
Witnessing the presentation were Calabanga Mayor Evelyn Yu and 4 of her Sangguniang Bayan members, Buhi Mayor Rey Lacoste, Sangay Vice-Mayor Ratchiel Chavez and its municipal administrator, and Cabusao Vice-Mayor Nebb Santiago. Also present were the Punong Barangays of Atulayan, Bongalon, Nato, and Balongay, a barangay kagawad of Barcelonita, daycare worker of Balatasan, and relatives of performing youth from their barangays. From the Ateneo de Naga community were member units of its University Social Involvement Council (USIC) such as the Dean of Commerce, Livelihood and Entrepreneurship Cluster, staff from the University President, University Library Staff, and Social Involvement Offices, and several Ateneo students.
USIC chairperson Atty. Mila Raquid-Arroyo emphasized in her opening remarks the importance of preparing the youth for leadership in their communities, thus encouraged the attending LGU leaders to find better ways of local government services catered to the youth. She vouched on the university’s unwavering support for youth development through creative arts for social transformation, particularly in creating community-based youth groups.
As a response to the message of the youth, municipal LGU officials expressed compassion/pledge for their youth presenters. Mayor Yu noted her administration’s efforts to make Calabanga more livable for its youth through current programs and projects that may not be directly for the young but humbly sought understanding from them that it would take time to obtain results for these development objectives through values education. She appreciated Ateneo’s partnership work through education and training activities and the need for further co-operation to realize local youth development. Mayor Lacoste similarly acknowledged the efforts spent for coming up with this coming together of youth. Vice-Mayor Santiago also looked forward to Ateneo’s increased development intervention particularly for Cabusao’s far-flung barangays. Vice-Mayor Chavez of Sagnay likewise highlighted the feeding program, potable water access provision in Nato, area development of Atulayan, and current literacy project for out-of-school children.
 As fitting remarks to end the dialogue, Silliman University Dean of Mass Communications Dr. Rose Baceleres noted the awe-inspiring performance of the youth with their clear messages that resulted from the July and October training spree. She singled out the unleashed potential of community-based talents which when harnessed and appropriately channeled could function beyond entertainment but towards empowerment as well. |
“Wag Sana”
Jayson Tama
Barangay Castillo, Cabusao
Camarines Sur
“Pagbabago”
Angelo A. Yanto
Barangay Biong,Cabusao
Camarines sur
“Hangarin“
Luis Krisanto B. Timbal
Barangay Barcelonita,Cabusao
Camarines Sur
“Maging Malaya”
Reynold Buenviaje
Barangay Sto.ñino,Sagñay
Camarines Sur |
